Tropical Watershed and Ecology Program

13- DAY PROGRAM ITINERARY
Day 1: Orientation, Health & Safety, Guided
Trail Hike to Sibun River
Arrive at Phillip Goldson Belize International Airport in
afternoon. MBay staff to meet and greet group at airport and
transport to Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, a 1-hour charter
bus ride. Upon arrival to MBay, our staff will off-load gear
while group takes a brief tour and orientation of the
facilities. Settle into comfortable bunk beds in one of our
four dorm buildings. Afternoon walk to Sibun River for
opportunities to view local wildlife including gray fox,
coatimundi, green iguana, peccary, armadillo, river otter
and a myriad of birds. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the
sparkling river before you return to campus. Enjoy your
first Belizean dinner followed by presentations on the
History of Monkey Bay, and Health and Safety Issues to
consider while in Belize. Overnight at Monkey
Day 2: Belize Zoo Tour; Canoeing
Excursion to Cox Lagoon Crocodile Sanctuary
After breakfast depart to the nearby Belize Zoo for guided educational tour where you will
observe Belize’s unique fauna in natural surroundings. Black howler Monkey, Jaguar, Harpy
eagle, Scarlet macaw, Tapir and Crocodile to name a few. Return to MBay for lunch followed by
a mid-afternoon departure to Cox Lagoon for a full
evening of exploring by canoe the wetland habitats of
this diverse private reserve. Picnic style dinner served at
the lagoon. Overnight at Monkey Bay.
Day 3: Headwater Characteristics at Mountain Pine Ridge
Forest Reserve
Breakfast followed by a morning presentation on
Watershed Continuum Concept by guest lecturer, as
orientation to field excursion to Sibun Watershed.
After the presentation, depart on a 2.5 hours bus ride
to the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Open
discussion on forest management policies influencing
this headwater
region. Next 2
days will allow
study and
observation of
tropical headwater characteristics, bedrock
geology, species diversity and land use issues in the
Forest Reserve, including a visit to Chalillo Hydro Dam.
Dinner and overnight at Mountain Pine Ridge Headwater
Field Station.
Day 4: Headwater Geology,
Biodiversity Maintenance and
Protection, Land Use
Excursions to overview fire lookout
tower, riparian, broadleaf and pine forest habitats, waterfalls and additional
caves. Spend guided time sampling and identifying macro-invertebrates in
the first and second order headwater stream that flows over granite and
through limestone caverns. Visit to Big Rock Falls and Pools. Dinner and
overnight at Mountain Pine Ridge Headwater Field Station.
Day 5: Headwater Wrap Up, Transfer to Middle Reach
Sibun Watershed
After lunch, depart the Mountain Pine Ridge and return to Monkey
Bay. Late afternoon watershed ecology and logistics planning for
3-day overnight camp and canoe excursion on middle reach of
Sibun River. Dinner and overnight at Monkey Bay.
Day 6-8: Three-Day Middle Reach
Canoe Excursion
After breakfast depart on a 3-day canoe paddle over a 26-mile
mid-reach of the Sibun River with local guide and Riverkeeper.
Experiential learning activities include water quality sampling,
aquatic invertebrate identification, riparian species diversity,
and observation of land use impacts and direct effects of gravel
extraction. Support for camping and meals along the route with
transport and service of all dry gear, pre-cooked dinner,
breakfast & pack lunch to overnight camp locations supplied by
Monkey Bay. Return to campus on third and final day for
dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Marine Ecology Curriculum,
Tobacco Caye Marine Reserve
Depart after breakfast for a 1.5-hour bus ride to Dangriga
Town in time to board charter water taxi to Tobacco Caye, a
40-minute boat ride from river mouth to island destination.
Settle in shared seaside cabanas followed by orientation tour
and lunch on the
island. Afternoon
snorkeling
activities arranged for students to become
comfortable with open water conditions in
preparation for guided boat snorkeling excursion next day. Observe mangrove forest stands,
coral sand beaches, sea grass beds and patch reefs all accessible from shore. Culminating
activity on reef creature identification. Afternoon free time for relaxing, swimming, volleyball
and hammock time. Dinner and overnight at Tobacco Caye. Evening orientation lecture on
Belize Barrier Reef System by Marine Station Manager.
Tobacco Range Cayes, a group of mangrove Cayes located just inside Tobacco Reef – a section
of the Barrier Reef System - just off the central coastline about 10 miles east of Dangriga Town.
Islands within the Tobacco Range include: Man-O’-War Caye – a bird sanctuary – named after
the Frigate bird (Man-O’-War) rookery located there; Tobacco Caye where we will be based for 2
nights, and South Water Caye known for it fresh water supply, historic Convent and a collection
of small upscale tourist enclaves.
Day 10: Marine Ecology Continues,
Guided Boat Snorkeling Tour of
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
Full day snorkel excursion with pack lunch to various
stops within South Water Caye Marine Reserve. Full complement of
tropical marine habitats with naturalist guide. Picnic lunch on beach at South Water Caye.
Dinner and overnight of Tobacco Caye. Evening presentation by TCMS Manager.
Day 11: Marine Ecology
Curriculum Continues, Lab
Exercises
Morning workshop on fish and coral
identification. Activities in the marine reserve;
snorkeling and fish identification exercise. Reef
mapping – Coral identification and coverage/health. Fish ID
and population densities. Perform reef transects on both patch reef and fore reef (weather
dependent for reef). Afternoon time to process data. Option for night snorkel after dinner.
Day 12: Marine Ecology Finale, Deep Water Boat Excursion
Glover’s Reef Atoll, Caribbean Sea
Excursion visit to Glover’s Atoll for snorkeling and fish
identification exercise. Reef mapping – Coral identification
and coverage/health; Fish ID and population densities.
Return to Tobacco Caye to process data before dinner and
overnight at Tobacco Caye.
Day 13: Program Concludes,
Transfer to Belize International
Airport
Early morning swim before breakfast. Followed by
scheduled departure from Tobacco Caye to Dangriga
where the Mbay bus will meet the group for transfer to
the Belize International Airport for return flights to
home destinations.
- Program concludes -